Early Childhood Development Practitioner

An Early Childhood Development Worker plans, organises and conducts activities to help pre-primary school students to develop a wide variety of skills including speech, reading, writing, motor skills and social interaction.

How to be an Early Childhood Development Practitioner in South Africa

Get the Required Qualifications

To become an Early Childhood Development Practitioner in South Africa, you will need:

1. Certificate (FETC in ECD (NQF Level 4) 
2. Diploma (Diploma in ECD (NQF Level 5))
3. Certificate (Advanced Certificate in Education – Foundation Phase and ECD(NQF Level 6))
4. Bachelor’s Degree (Bachelor of Education in ECD – Foundation Phase (NQF Level 8))

Demonstrate Competence in the Required Subjects

For a Bachelor’s degree or a Diploma, you will need your NSC or NS(v) certificate. Entry requirements differ, but the following school subjects are recommended:

• English
• Maths literacy

Accumulate Years of Relevant Study and Experience

Early Childhood Development Practitioners in South Africa typically study between 1-4 years depending on your choice of qualification and educational institution.

Find Relevant Employment Opportunities

Early Childhood Development Practitioners in South Africa often work at:

• Government and NGO’s and non-profit organisations (such as shelters and places of safety)
• Educational centres
• Community development programmes
• Assistant probation officers in courts of law
• Probation programmes
• Daycare centres, schools, after-care centres and hostels
• Children’s homes and treatment centres dealing with substance abuse programmes
• Mediator or facilitator in communities who are “at-risk”
• Residential care
• Hospitals

Find More Information from Relevant Regulatory Bodies

To find more information about Early Childhood Development Practitioners, contact the Department of Social Development.

Early Childhood Development Practitioner Related Careers

• Social services jobs
• Community work jobs
• Child care jobs
• Government jobs
• Hospital jobs